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There is an increased need for accessible psychosocial interventions that support both people with dementia and their spouses. Recent research demonstrates the benefits of music therapy and caregiver-delivered music therapy for this population. This paper contributes to the emerging evidence base on telehealth music therapy for people with dementia outside of a COVID-19 era when in-person services were available. This exploratory phenomenological study explores the experiences of two couples who attended a six-week telehealth music therapy programme via two detailed case examples. Online semi-structured interviews with each couple were conducted pre and post intervention and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three shared themes emerged from the data analysis including (1) social isolation and lack of confidence linked to dementia diagnosis is worsened in rural locations, (2) song singing and song writing enables us to revisit happy memories, and (3) telehealth delivery increases access due to geographical location. The findings are presented in a narrative case study format to provide rich detailed descriptions of the music therapy programme and to illuminate the experiences of the participants. In both examples, telehealth delivery expanded access to music therapy (which was otherwise unavailable) and stimulated reminiscence which in turn encouraged meaningful engagement between the couple. The delivery of music therapy via telehealth, alongside in-person delivery, has the potential to expand access to music therapy to those who may not have access to or are no longer able to attend community support services due to geographical location, increased cognitive decline or reduced mobility. The successful delivery of telehealth music therapy is dependent on several factors including digital literacy, access to appropriate technological devices, caregiver support and level of cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing evidence of the social, physical and cognitive benefits of group-singing for people living with dementia and their family carers. However, COVID-19 has necessitated the suspension of in-person group-singing globally. This study explores the impact of COVID-19 on dementia-inclusive singing groups and choirs in Ireland, and their facilitators' responses. It seeks to contribute to the limited literature on online group-singing and music telehealth for people living with dementia and family carers. It strives to provide facilitators with practical information to adapt their programmes for online delivery and continue to support the health and well-being of these populations. This study adopted a qualitative methodological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with facilitators of dementia-inclusive singing groups or choirs in Ireland (n = 12). Four main themes were generated inductively from the data using Thematic Analysis: accessibility of online delivery; online vs in-person delivery; importance of social connection; adaptability and resilience. This study provides a mixed picture of opportunities and challenges arising from online music programmes. Initial evidence indicates the ability of facilitators to successfully deliver online music programmes to a proportion of people living with dementia and family carers and the capacity of members of these populations to engage with them. The findings support the development of sustainable online groups and resources to increase the accessibility of dementia-inclusive singing groups and support community-dwelling people with dementia living in rural and remote areas or with health or mobility challenges. However, challenges of digital inclusion exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dementia can negatively impact the well-being of people living with dementia and their family carers. Research suggests that music psychosocial interventions are effective, safe alternatives to pharmacological interventions for the promotion of well-being. However, evidence is limited, and research gaps remain. This study explores how a community-based group singing intervention impacts the well-being of people with early-stage dementia and their family carers. A phenomenological methodological approach was adopted. Participants engaged in a six-week group singing intervention facilitated by a music therapist in a community arts centre. Semi-structured interviews were conducted (n = 7). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed four superordinate themes: (1) Social Connection; (2) Happiness and Rejuvenation; (3) Reconnection with the Self; and (4) Supporting the Carer–Cared-for Relationship. Evidence of multidimensional enhancement of well-being, absence of adverse effects, and accessibility of this musical medium support the increased provision of community-based singing groups for these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the well-being ['well-being' and 'wellbeing' are used interchangeably in the literature. Well-being is used in this paper (except in the reference list where exact wording is maintained)] benefits of participation in a workplace choir for health service staff. A mixed method study, this project combines quantitative measures of work engagement, perceived stress, resilience levels and work absences with qualitative interviews with choir participants. It is the first study of workplace choirs in Ireland and one of very few studies internationally that research health service staff choirs. There is some preliminary evidence of benefits that choir attendance may increase positive perception of workers' mental health as well as effect depression rates. However, evidence is limited quantitatively and difficulties in measuring the health benefits of arts interventions are noted. Qualitative data, however, confirms previous study findings, namely that a workplace choir can promote social connectedness, enjoyment at work and staff engagement. Work place choir was also noted to appeal mainly to a limited demographic of work place staff and people with relatively positive health and well-being. Efforts must be made to engage staff from lower socio-economic backgrounds, diverse cultural backgrounds and male staff in work place health promotion activities, as these groups were found less likely to join a work place choir. Given the low cost and low risk of this activity, and the qualitative benefits reported, it is recommended to continue to develop and evaluate health service workplace choirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To assess the impact of hospitalization on arts engagement among older people; and to assess perceptions of whether hospitals are aesthetically deprived environments. Methods A Survey of Aesthetic and Cultural Health was developed to explore the role of aesthetics before, during and after hospital. Study participants were n = 150 hospital in-patients aged >65. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Main findings Attendance at arts events was an important part of life for this sample and a large drop off was noted in continuation of these activities in the year post-hospital stay. Physical health issues were the main causes but also loss of confidence and transport issues. Film, dance, and music were the most popular arts for this sample prior to hospital stay. Noise pollution caused by other patients, lack of control over TV/radio, and access to receptive arts in hospital (reading and listening to music) were important issues for patients in hospital. Conclusions This study identifies a trend for decreasing exposure to arts beginning with a hospital stay and concludes that older people may need encouragement to resume engagement in arts following a hospital stay. There is relatively limited evidence regarding the nature of, and potential benefit from, aesthetics in healthcare and limited studies with rigorous methodology, and further research is needed to understand the aesthetic preferences of older people in hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The M usic and Movement for Health (MMH) intervention was feasible and acceptable. • The findings of this study inform and support the design of a future definitive pragmatic randomised controlled trial. • The findings highlight that music and movement for health (MMH) has the potential to have a positive impact on community dwelling older adults. • The health economic analysis indicates the potential cost-effectiveness of MMH. • MMH met the progression criteria for a future trial, with the sample size estimated. Functional decline, chronic illness, reduced quality of life and increased healthcare utilisation are common in older adults. Evidence suggests music and dance can support healthy ageing in older adults. This study explored the feasibility, potential for effect and cost effectiveness of the Music and Movement for Health (MMH) programme among community-dwelling older adults using a pragmatic cluster-randomised, controlled feasibility trial design. Community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older were recruited to seven clusters in the Mid-West region of Ireland. Clusters were block randomised to either the MMH intervention or control. Primary feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, adherence, fidelity, and safety. Secondary outcomes measured physical activity, physical and cognitive performance, and psychosocial well-being, along with healthcare utilisation were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. The study successfully met feasibility targets, with recruitment (n = 100), retention (91 %), adherence (71 %), data completeness (92 %) and intervention fidelity (21 out of 24) all meeting predetermined criteria. Both groups exhibited an increase in self-reported physical activity and improved physical function. Participants in the intervention group scored consistently better in psychosocial measures compared to the control group at follow-up. The health economic analysis confirmed the feasibility of the methodology employed and points to the potential cost-effectiveness of the MMH relative to the control or no organised programme. The MMH intervention and study design were found to be feasible and acceptable with important findings to inform future evaluation of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a definitive randomised controlled trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Since the outset of COVID-19, we have become more reliant on technology to stay connected to others. Notable benefits of telehealth have been observed, including increased access to health and community support services for community dwelling people living with dementia and their family caregivers and diminishing barriers such as geographical location, mobility issues and increased cognitive decline. Music therapy is an evidence-based intervention for people living with dementia and has been proven to promote improved quality of life, increase social interaction and provide a form of meaningful communication and expression when language becomes difficult. This project is one of the first internationally to pilot telehealth music therapy for this population., Methods: This mixed methods action research project has six iterative phases of planning, research, action, evaluation, and monitoring. Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) has been sought from members of The Dementia Research Advisory Team at the Alzheimer Society of Ireland at all stages of the research process to ensure the research remains relevant and applicable to those with dementia. The presentation will briefly outline the phases of the project., Results: Preliminary results from this ongoing research suggest that there is feasibility for telehealth music therapy to provide psychosocial support to this population. Collaboration with PPI contributors resulted in the following research priorities: (1) ensuring a person-centered approach; (2) advanced care planning using music; and (3) the signposting of music related supports for community dwelling people living with dementia. Music therapy is being piloted currently and preliminary results will be outlined., Discussion: Telehealth music therapy has the potential to complement existing rural health and community services for people living with dementia, in particular addressing social isolation. Recommendations regarding the relevance of cultural and leisure pursuits on health and well-being of people living with dementia will be discussed, particularly the development of online access.

Although the medical humanities are increasingly well established in terms of scholarly research and undergraduate medical education, a notable deficit has been its low profile in postgraduate training and continuing professional development (CPD).We undertook to develop a programme in the medical humanities to address the deficit in CPD and specialist training, working with colleagues in a range of colleges and disciplines in Ireland. We describe the first element, a masterclass embedded in a series devoted to more traditionally recognised clinical aspects of CPD, webcast live to a range of hospitals across Ireland, whose focus was an introduction to the medical humanities by a panel of clinician scholars each of whom had published in peer-reviewed journals on the topic.Postgraduate colleges of medicine can play an important role in developing medical humanities strands in their postgraduate training and CPD activities. Given the relative novelty of developing postgraduate training and CPD in medical humanities, it may be worthwhile developing an intercollegiate platform among the wider range of medical colleges in the British Isles to jointly develop the most effective mechanisms to further propagate medical humanities and leverage the expertise of a larger pool of faculty in medical humanities., (© Royal College of Physicians 2020. All rights reserved.)

Art therapy has a long history in mental healthcare, but requires an enhanced evidence base in order to better identify its precise role in contemporary services. This paper describes an evaluation of an art therapy programme in an acute adult psychiatry admission unit in Ireland. A mixed method research design was used. Quantitative data were collected through a survey of 35 staff members and 11 service users. Qualitative data included free text comments collected in the survey and individual feedback from service users. Both methods aimed to assess the role of art therapy as part of a multidisciplinary mental health service. Thematic content analysis was employed to analyse qualitative data. Staff demonstrated overwhelming support for art therapy as one element within multidisciplinary services available to patients in the acute psychiatry setting, Qualitative feedback associated art therapy with improvements in quality of life and individual support, and emphasised its role as a non-verbal intervention, especially useful for those who find talking therapy difficult. Creative self-expression is valued by staff and service users as part of the recovery process. Recommendations arising from the research include continuing the art therapy service, expanding it to include patients under rehabilitation, provision of information and education sessions to staff, and further research to identify other potential long-term effects. The low response of staff and small sample in this study, however, must be noted as limitations to these findings., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.)